Saed Hindash/The Star-LedgerJohnny Oduya said his slow start has nothing to do with his three-year, $10.5 million contract.Johnny Oduya agreed with coach Jacques Lemaire that he has gotten off to a slow start this season, but the Devils defenseman said it has nothing to do with the three-year, $10.5 million contract he signed this summer.

"No, I don't think so," Oduya said before Thursday night's game against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. "You just want to play at a level where you feel you can help the team. I've said before, when you get on the ice it doesn't matter how much you make."

Oduya entered the game without any points and a minus-6 rating this season. Lemaire called it a slow start.

"I guess. A little bit," Oduya said. "Obviously I think I can play better. That said, I don't think it's a huge issue. I don't go around worrying about it too much."

He has been paired with Andy Greene of late.

"Greener is a great player, so it's not like that's a bad thing," Oduya pointed out.

After the Devils' morning skate on Thursday, Lemaire said if Oduya: "Slow start. It could be the difference in how we're playing. Lately I feel the defensemen-- we had one bad game-- but I felt all the guys have played better and the defensemen were fine."

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The Devils' defense corps enter the game Thursday night without a single goal. Rangers defensemen had a combined total of 10 goals.